EXCLUSIVE: UK’s ‘Mr Brexit’ Nigel Farage – who was at the center of ‘debanking’ scandal – warns woke trend is now on the rise in the US after Christian charity accused Bank of America of axing its account over ‘religious views’
- UK politician Nigel Farage revealed he had spoken to the Trump family about the rise in ‘debanking’ in the US
- Farage told DailyMail.com the ‘situation in America is as bad as it is in Britain’
- It comes after a debanking row broke about between Bank of America and a ultra-conservative Christian charity
The UK politician who pioneered Brexit and recently became embroiled in a ‘debanking’ row has warned the ‘worrying’ trend is on the rise in America.
Nigel Farage revealed he has spoken to the Trump family about the increase in ‘debanking’ in the US after it emerged a conservative Christian charity that supports impoverished Ugandans had its account closed by Bank of America (BofA).
Farage, who is often referred to as ‘Mr Brexit’ and is a close ally of the former President, was at the center of global headlines when he had his account with private bank Coutts closed over his political beliefs.
He told DailyMail.com: ‘The situation in America is absolutely as bad as it is in Britain.
‘Banks have become political campaigning organizations. Unless you take a woke view of the world, you are in danger of it happening to you.’
Nigel Farage, who is often referred to as ‘Mr Brexit’ and is a close ally of the former President, has warned that ‘debanking’ is as common in America as it is in the UK. He is pictured with Trump in 2016
He added: ‘I have actually spoken to the Trump family about this.’
Historically the term ‘debanking’ referred to cases where banks limit financial services to businesses it assessed as having money laundering risks.
But firms are increasingly being accused of closing accounts for businesses with controversial views over reputational fears.
Farage – who is now planning to build a UK lobby group to tackle the issue of debanking – said he had heard from prominent Republican figures whose accounts had been shut down in the US.
He added he is planning to raise the issue with more American politicians.
This week DailyMail.com revealed that a ‘debanking’ row had broken out after the Memphis-based non-profit Indigenous Advance Ministries alleged its BofA account had been closed due to its ‘religious views.’
The organization – which claims to have had a banking relationship with the Bank since 2015 – purports pro-life and anti-same sex relationship values on its website. It has filed a complaint relating to the issue to the Tennessee Attorney General’s office.
BofA firmly denies it ‘debanked’ the body over these views, telling DailyMail.com that ‘religious beliefs are not a factor in any account-closing decision.’
Indigenous – which was previously named World Shine USA – opened a new business checking account with BofA in January before shortly applying for two credit cards.
On April 24 this year, it was sent a letter by the bank advising that its accounts were being shut down within 30 days.
Associated accounts belonging to partner entity Indigenous Advance Customer Center and a church operating at the same address – Servants of Christ Community dba University House of Prayer – were also closed.
The correspondence from BofA stated: ‘Upon review of your accounts, we have determined you’re operating in a business type we have chosen not to service at Bank of America.’
Representatives for Indigenous said they ‘repeatedly’ asked for an explanation about the closure.
On May 24, the organization was sent a follow-up letter that stated its ‘risk profile no longer aligns with the bank’s risk tolerance.’
At the time, Indigenous said it had $270,000 in its deposit account.
Associated accounts belonging to partner entity Indigenous Advance Customer Center and a church operating at the same address – Servants of Christ Community dba University House of Prayer – were also closed.
Indigenous Advance Ministries has filed a complaint to the Tennessee Attorney-General’s office over concerns their accounts were closed because the bank disagrees with its ‘religious views.’ Pictured: Indigenous founder and current board member Steve Happ in Uganda
BofA firmly denies the accusations, telling DailyMail.com that ‘religious beliefs are not a factor in any account-closing decision’
The correspondence from BofA stated: ‘Upon review of your accounts, we have determined you’re operating in a business type we have chosen not to service at Bank of America.’
Representatives for Indigenous said they ‘repeatedly’ asked for an explanation about the closure.
On May 24, the organization was sent a follow-up letter that stated its ‘risk profile no longer aligns with the bank’s risk tolerance.’
At the time, Indigenous said it had $270,000 in its deposit account.
Under the ‘Core Beliefs’ tab on its website it endorses a number of evangelical Christian views including that ‘all human life is sacred… from conception to natural death.’
It also advocates that ‘marriage between one man and one woman is the only proper context for sexual relations.’
Under the ‘Core Beliefs’ tab on its website it endorses a number of evangelical Christian views including that ‘all human life is sacred… from conception to natural death.’
Bob Phillips, left, is the current Board of Trustees of Indigenous Advance Ministries. Steve Happ, right, is the founder and a board member of the charity. Together the pair have written to the Tennessee Attorney General’s office over fears they were ‘debanked’
It also advocates that ‘marriage between one man and one woman is the only proper context for sexual relations.’
A letter to the Tennessee Attorney General’s office, signed by board members Steve Happ and Bob Phillips, read: ‘I am concerned that Bank of America cancelled our and our partners’ accounts because it disagrees with our religious views.’
A spokesperson for BofA said the closure was related to a part of Indigenous’ operations which includes debt collection.
On its website, Indigenous said it is ‘dedicated to pursuing the recovery of overdue invoices on behalf of our clients.’
Indigenous is now being represented by the legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).
The office for Tennessee attorney general Jonathan Skrmetti has confirmed it received the complaint and is reviewing the details of the case.
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